Pages

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

My Top 5 Spooktacular Books

I'll just come out and say it, I am not someone who reads a lot of 'scary' books but since it is getting close to Halloween (and San Francisco is the one city I've lived in where adults celebrate it more than kids!) it's gotten me thinking, what are my favorite spooky books of all time? Note: I have a low tolerance for the spook! Here are my top 5.

5. 'Lullaby' by Chuck Palahniuk - an investigator of SIDS realizes that all of these children have been sung the same ancient lullaby (or culling song) before their death. Is there an other-worldly connection? Those armed with this knowledge can now go on a killing spree. I read this for book club a couple of years ago and found the story line fascinating and far beyond anything I would have normally picked up for myself.

4. 'In The Lake of the Woods' by Tim O' Brien - This story centers on husband and wife John and Kathy. Kathy mysteriously disappears when they take a trip to a lake house. Did she just leave John? Did he murder her? - It was one of the few murder mysteries that I've read, thanks again to my book club! I found it fascinating (and it wasn't bloody which helped me!).

3. 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' by John Berendt - Set in Savannah, Georgia, this book centers around a murder trial but it has lots of spooky qualities thanks to this city's vast history and many scenes in cemeteries. I first read this book when it came out and it is a perennial favorite of mine since I like to read any and all books set in the South!

2. 'Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers' by Mary Roach - this is a non-fiction book that will tell you anything and everything about what happens to your body after it dies. This was another book club book that I had absolutely no desire to read and I ended up finding it fascinating. I highly recommend it!

1. 'The Historian' by Elizabeth Kostova - A woman in the 1970s discovers a book about Dracula that has a letter addressed to 'my dear and unfortunate successor.' She goes through manuscripts to discover what this means to her and her family and all those that have been connected to Dracula. I love a good historical fiction novel and this one was no expectation, despite its darker setting, or maybe because of it! I highly recommend it!

Three of my top 5 were book club recommendations and maybe that shows me that I do like 'spooky' books after all - I just have to step out of my comfort zone sometimes! What are your favorite spooky books? Happy Halloween everyone!

I scare VERY easily so have a tendency to avoid anything creepy... I've heard really good things about Midnight In the Garden Of Good and Evil and love books set in the South, so that might be one I'd try! :)

Check Out My Giveaways!

Search This Blog

About Me

I love to read fiction of any kind (and some non-fiction!). When not reading, I am working hard for my money, exploring the great city of San Francisco, and harassing my husband's cat. Feel free to email me at: amusedbybooks@gmail.com